The Bronze Horseman discussion
What are you currently reading?
Jessica, I'm 37% in, I started it last night, I'm enjoying it but it's very heavy. I needed to put it down and start reading Eclipse for a bit of fiction - It's my bookclub's book this month - to be honest, I had never heard of either the book or movie until it was selected as this month's book. I haven't seen the movie but I want to... Going by the reviews on Goodreads, it looks like it's only just been released?!
Are you reading it on your kindle? Me too! I love my kindle, I've only had it for about 2 weeks and it's soo good! I can't believe I didn't get one sooner.
Yeah I'm reading it on my kindle too, I love it - its the best investment. I also tend to read quicker on it than a regular book :)
I am reading
. It's a very good, sad, heartbreaking book that takes place during WW2 in Poland. It's about Jewish girl who escaped from the ghetto and is involved with the resistance. Very well written.
I'm done with my last book-last night-and I'm looking to buy a book pronto. I usually have one lined up and ready to go...I literally feel naked and out of sorts if I'm not reading. Withdrawls.....!!! I'm searching around and I heard of a book called The Winter Sea by Susana Kearsley I think it is..Strangely it's about one of the Jacobite rebellions which is funny because I was not seeking that out, just pulled it up and thought it looked good. I'd not even mind taking a break from that topic but the book looks pretty good. Has anyone read it? Any reviews? Any good ideas for a GREAT read? Looking for historical fiction, love story, saga (basically TBH or Outlander ---tho I've given up hope there is another book on the level of these two masterpieces I still hold out hope of something close maybe??? Ideas???:) )
Toni, I enjoyed The Winter Sea. There is a bit of a love story there that I enjoyed but it's not sexy. We don't get any details there at all. :) I enjoyed the story and the history in it but it doesn't compare to Outlander or TBH. There is no epic love story.I just finished The Book Thief. It was really good. I didn't enjoy the narration at first. It took me awhile to get into, but eventually, once I did, it hooked me. I can't remember the last time that I cried so much though. It tugged at my heart and I can't stop thinking about it.
I need a love story next though. I was thinking of starting Into the Wilderness. Anybody read that?
Oh, I'm also listening to Outlander. I'm enjoying it!!!
I liked The Winter Sea, it is not epic, but a good read anyway. I am eagerly awaiting for her next book to be published, I think it comes out sometime soon. I was not impressed with Into The Wilderness, I thought it was just OK. The romance and the chemistry between the main characters were tepid at best.There was hardly any tension or battle of wills or disagreements between them, which I found quite boring. I did not find the main hero Nathaniel very fascinating. Also the fact that the writer brings characters from the Outlander into the story rubbed me the wrong way. It is if she had done it just to sell her book and ride the wave of The Outlander success.
Has anyone read
. Looks like another epic story that takes place in Russia in early 20th century. The reviews are generally good. I haven't read it yet, just wanted to know any thoughts about the book.
Thanks for your tips Hildy and Milena--that helps me out a lot for the future! Milena I have not heard of that book-but please post if it's a good one!! I actually wound up buying a book that looks like it will be good. It is called 'Game of Kings'by Dorothy Dunnet--NOT to be confused with the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones-- (it is the first in the series The Lymond Chronicles). It is heralded as the finest piece of historical fiction and she as the finest writer of historical fiction (by Washington Post, Ny Times, Sunday times-London, etc..) tho that remains to be seen until I read it myself of course.. I read a lot of reviews - published reviews mostly (tho I did check goodreads reviews as well) and they are superb. It takes place in 1547 Scotland (this is completely by chance as I was not at all looking for another book on Scotland although I certainly will find another highlander book interesting!!)and seems to be about a rogue named Francis Crawford of Lymond who is a nobleman who is a smuggler, crook, scapegrace and outlaw, but extremely intelligent, very suave, and wicked as can be. An antihero. It is about him coming back into Scotland-tho accused of treason-to try to clear his name. The main character is also supposed to be VERY likeable-in a very sexy way (tho I'm fairly certain it isn't at all a 'sexily' written book like Outlander and TBH)! I just started and have only read a short bit. I will say the writing is a little interesting to get a hold of tho it isn't written-DG like-in tongue (example: that's a verra lovely look on ye, Claire, forbye ;))It's written in regular english language which is interesting because the author is a Scot. There's also a lot of character's but after reading DG that should be easy to navigate. Has anyone read this book? Any thoughts if you did? If it's good, I'll obviously pass along the news. Im excited about it for sure!! I've not seen a book with this many great reviews in a long time. The only problem is that now that I've been ruined by Paullina and Diana ( and Alexander and Jamie--sigh, sigh, and sigh again!!)nothing is going to ever be Fantastic again. It will All be compared to those two books!! They are the books I judge all others by.
A piece of fun luck came my way last night. Though I always buy my books from amazon.com, I finished my last book the night before and couldn't go a day without having something to read so I went to our nearest Barnes and Noble. After picking up Game of Kings I ran over and had my little boy pick up A Breath of Snow and Ashes for me (my hands were overflowing with books for the fam). There were two large ones (8x11"---I LOVE those tho they are twice as expensive..which I don't love) and one small one (the tiny ones that are 1400 pages long, which I do not love). I told my son to get the big one, but, daydreaming as he was :), he picked up the small one. When we got to the counter I was not inclined to go back so I reluctantly got the small one. When we got home and all dug thru the bag for our goodies, my son said to me, 'Mommy, someones written their name in your book'. Inside I saw it said Autograhped Copy and there was Diana's name!! They are supposed to say it on the outside and then you are charged a higher price for it. I called the store and told them what happened. I wanted to find out how much it was and whether I needed to give them my credit card for the balance or bring it back if it was costly, but they said just keep it and thanked me for being honest. So I got a signed copy. So Fun!! I'd never buy it for myself on purpose so it's quite a treat. I only wish I knew Diana had been at the store recently for the 20th anniversary edition. Would have LOVED to meet her!! Oh well...I still got a treat out of it though! Yay!!
Toni, do tell us how do you like 'Game of Kings". I have heard about this book too, but was not sure if I wanted to start reading another long series.
Yes I'm also interested to know what you think of Game of Kings Toni!
Okay girls (Milena and Jessica)...I'm off to read..really hope it lives up to the hype. I'll let you know what comes of it!!
I was looking for something on my bookshelf last night and I came across I book I had read a long time ago that I had forgot about but that was an absolutely Amazing read and I thought I'd just post it here. I heard of it only when my husband, upon reading his daily paper-The Wall Street Journal-said he read an article where the writer said he'd been recommended this book and he felt it akin to War and Peace in many ways and completely brilliant. Being that War and Peace is my FAV all time book I had to read it. It is NOT a love story. It is a saga of Stalin's Russia...of the war...and it is extremely compelling. A wonderful book in soo many ways. It is historical fiction and the psychological insights are so real and touching and beautiful. I have yet to go thru my previously read books to review them all but when I came to this I had to stop. If anyone is in the mood for a serious, but briliiant book I suggest Life and Fate by Vassily Grossman.Life and Fate
If you want to read two fantastically written classic books that are on my top ten books of all time list that are also extremely Wonderful, very romantic love stories try Stendhal's two masterpieces..One of my fav books of all time: The Charterhouse of Parma and also The Red and the Black. Both are historical fiction, incredibly love stories, classically written. They are not, obviously, explicit being they were written in the 18th century but they are love stories in the truest sense. Just a suggestion...
I have heard some people mention they've read the book Queen of Camelot and liked it. Has anyone here read it? Is it quite good? Good..or Really good? Would love to know if someone here has read it. It looks interesting but I'd love to hear a review from one of the TBHers who's appreciation of books like TBH (and for many Outlander) are similar to my own instead of general reviews by other readers. Thanks..
Toni, I just finished reading the Queen of Camelot and overall I thought it was a good book. I gave it 4 stars, but 3.5 stars would be more accurate. I really liked the premise, the history and the setting of the book. I liked most of the characters. I had a couple of reservations about it thought. Firs, the book is very long, 700 pages, and it was not always engrossing. The first 100 pages were slow, after that it would pick up for about another 100 pages that it would get slow again, and then pick up again. It was very up and down. I actually managed to read another book at the same time, because sometimes it was just too much for me to continue reading the Queen of Camelot. Another problem I had was Lancelot. He was not a likable character, I found him quite annoying. I could not understand why Guinevere was in love with him, when she had such an amazing husband as King Arthur. He was much more interesting and attractive. I wish I could like Lancelot, then the love triangle would make the reading so much more fun.It is an enjoyable read if you do not expect it to be as great as TBH.
I've also read Queen of Camelot, and loved it! If I was to rate it I'd probably give 4 out of 5. I liked Lancelot, Guinevere and Arthur... It was quite long but I thought it was well-written and it held my interest the whole time. It's different to TBH and Outlander, but I would recommend it.
I just finished a YA I read it along with my 11 year old and we both LOVED it! I highly recommend it for YA, PNR lovers! She is 11 and it was fine. She is on the mature side but I would say 12ish would be fine!
Jessica wrote: "I've also read Queen of Camelot, and loved it! If I was to rate it I'd probably give 4 out of 5. I liked Lancelot, Guinevere and Arthur... It was quite long but I thought it was well-written and it..."Milena wrote: "Toni, I just finished reading the Queen of Camelot and overall I thought it was a good book. I gave it 4 stars, but 3.5 stars would be more accurate. I really liked the premise, the history and the..."
Jessica and Milena-Thank you so very much for responding to me on Queen of Camelot. I had heard about it here and there, but never anything concrete. TBH and Outlander were an absolute blessing and a hideous curse! Reading them was unadulterated bliss, but now I am tainted! I find it funny that all of us (myself definitely included) rate every book with the final sentence....of course not as good as TBH or Outlander. I can't wait til one day myself or someone else says x book Was as good as TBH/Outlander. I don't hold my breath, but I do HOPE to find something as good some day..some year!
You both gave a bit of a different review but I love that, makes me think and makes it more in depth and I SOOO appreciate that you gave me background about your likes/dislikes. I'm going to look into it definitely, but you did put it in perspective that if I do read it (I will likely put it on my to-read list even if I don't get it right away) I don't look for it to be the next TBH. That helps, for when I go into a book with that high hope I inevitably feel cheated.
Thanks soo much girls..you're awesome ;)
I'm not meaning to sound gripey, but what happened to our site?? For a while it was rife with fab comments and fun discussion and then in the last month or so it went cold. Maybe it's the summer? Or maybe we've all just read it (TBH) and/or re-read it x amount of times and there's not much more to say. I've enjoyed chatting up the Outlander stuff too but perhaps that has gone cold too. Same with the Roses books. I only say this because I have really loved posting with you girls. I have never been part of a site before and likely never will again but when I stumbled on this site I found some of the nicest people who I could really relate to on books being we had a lot of similar interests-and who also happened to be especially nice/kind/fun people to correspond with. People like: Tina, Kelly, Megan, Hildy, Jessica, Rena, Milena, Leea, Laura (soo many more so forgive me if I don't mention by name, there hasn't been a single soul who hasn't been great and had a lot of articulate and intelligent and even fun things to say)--you all have been so fun to 'post' with and share ideas/POV's and comments. I'm not even sure why I'm writing this. I suppose there's nothing I can do as either it is summer...or more likely, we've all talked it all out and it's fairly redundant at this point. (GASP--Alexander and Jamie boring???? Talk of them and their 'finer' points redundant??? Can it be so??? sob sob boo-hoo-hoo) LOL. Anyhow, I was wondering if any of you would want to read another book together like we did on the Tea Rose book (it seemed to go cold around Winter Rose because that was kind of a bust--sorry Megan you big Sid lover you!! ;)). It's just a suggestion and I have a feeling that it might not happen, but I'd feel bad if I didn't at least try. It's been so fun and I've gotten soooo many great book ideas and heard so many great points from you all. Hildy, you helped me the other day on my Rog views. Kelly, you are so funny..I will never forget beta-wimp LOL. Rena said something simple, but so nice to me yesterday that I still have the smile on my face. All of you are sooo unique and fun/nice. I could say something about you all (but you might think I've gone quite mad if I turn this into too much of a lovefest...if you don't think I'm a mad hatter already for writing this. I am actually a very reserved, quiet, private-private person (shocking if you've read my posts, I know) so this is a lot for me to say aloud. It's just a thought if anyone is interested and..if it gets going...has any ideas of what we can all read. Thanks so much for just listening guys and even if NO ONE is interested I really do appreciate you taking the time to read this (and all my other posts which likely shaved several months off your life being they were so bloody long :)). As those Whitechapel costers would say Ta-ra! Or the highlanders: Have a verra bonny day...Slainte! Or the Russians: Farewell comrades!.....well, for the moment that is....you cannot get rid of me That easy!! ;)
Toni I sent you back a message.... go to your profile and scroll to the bottom see if you find it. :)Thanks for the love.... it is probably summer and we all do need to find a new and amazing hero/heroine!!
:)
Toni I'm currently reading Roses thanks to your recommendation - I'm really enjoying it! However due to the first few chapters I know it's not going to end well for two of the characters.. don't want to say too much though in case I spoil it for others!
Toni, I don't know who the Mod's are for this group but you can always ask them to set up a Group Read or Buddy Read. That way someone can pick a book and we can read it together and talk about it. I do this in a few of my other groups and it's a great way to have a discussion. Might be the summer and people are just busy. I personally have not been as active in this group because it's so focused on TBH that for me it just get's to be the same old thing...
That being said, I'm doing a buddy read with a few friends and we are reading
I love this series, Georgina is smart, funny, and sexy you can't help but want to be her. We read the first book with a larger group and a few of us decided to read the rest of the series together.
I just got The Summer Garden and I'm so excited to start. I think I want to savor it but I know I'll speed through it and be so bummed it's over. Anyway I love these groups just so I can get recommendations from others who love these books as much as I do. I usually read 3 or 4 books at a time so if anyone starts a group read I'm all for it!
I've just finished reading The Kommandant's Girl, which I think has been mentioned a few times on here. It was fairly good, not super well written (very simple) but the story was interesting. It was heartbreaking though, but I'm not sure I'm happy with how it ends.
I'm now about halfway through 'Roses', a book Toni recommended, and I'm really enjoying it!! It is so heartbreaking though.. Toni, does it get better (as in, happier)? I've read Mary's story which is tragic, in the middle of Percy's which is obviously tragic, and I just keep hoping something wonderful will happen but I can't see how it will (as we know how the story ends)!!
I just finished reading Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati and I really loved it! I wasn't expecting much and was pleasantly surprised. I loved so many of the characters and it kept me on my toes.
That's great Hildy! I really enjoyed the Wilderness Series.
Hildy wrote: "I just finished reading Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati and I really loved it! I wasn't expecting much and was pleasantly surprised. I loved so many of the characters and it kept me on my toes."I'd really like to read this but I can't get it on Kindle and I haven't seen it in our shops at all. I might have to order it from the Book Depository... I am interested in reading the thoughts of an Author who uses her alter-ego as her published name, borrows Claire and Jamie (I think) and then goes on to call Outlander fans as rabid! Interesting lady!!!
I'm in the same boat Megan, I really want to read Into the Wilderness but it's not available on Kindle in Australia! I used to obsessively buy books from the Book Depository, but since getting my Kindle I'm obsessed with that and now hate the thought of buying a paper book and not having it on my kindle!
Hehe, me too! I'm in love with my kindle. I just read The Great Gatsby! Bargain 99c!
I think Sara Donati is a friend of Diana Gabaldon, at least when she wrote the first two books. She talks about her help and support in the Acknowledgment section. As far as her mentioning characters in Outlander. It was a brief mention in a backstory that lasted about a page. It didn't bug me at all. It was really just a blip. I need a kindle. I managed to find all the books in the series at the library.
Haha Kelly. I completely agree ladies about the ereader love... I find now I cannot read a paper books because I love my nook SO much.Donati only mentions J & C for less than and page and it's just enough to make you smile :)
I'm currently reading Then Came You and I have to say it's a little slow but I think it's just character building. I plan on starting this for a buddy read Aug 1st... A Lady's Lesson in Scandal
Leea, did you read the whole Into the Wilderness series? I'm almost finished book 2 and am looking forward to book 3.Kelly, enjoy TSG. I enjoyed that book the first time but love it more and more with each reread.
I read the whole lovely thing. Each book is about a different Bonner child finding their love... It's very sweet. The last books is one of my favorites because I just enjoyed how Donati ended the series. Happy Reading Hildy!
Leea, thank you so much!! Now I'm excited! I just love Hannah so I can't wait. I have about 100 pages in book 2 but I made a big mistake and didn't pick up book 3 from the library when I had the chance. Now it's not there!! Grr... I need a kindle!!! I may have to do a little searching today and see what I can find. I also want to read The Wild Rose but I'm caught up in this right now.
I am reading
. It's fun, light read. Some elements of the story are a little far fetched, and some things come together a bit too neatly for my liking, but overall it's a good book. The main hero is mysterious italian named Alessandro, if you get my meaning ;-)
I never read The Wild Rose, I'm having major issues with Adobe, Nook and Mac... So i've stopped requesting galleys from NetGalley. I cannot load them on my Nook, and I've spent too much time trying to fix it. I hear they are brining down the price of Kindles very soon (Might be because Kindle 4 is going to come out :). Honestly, ereaders are so easy and light that I don't know why I did not get one years ago. Hildy - enjoy the Wilderness Series, I just loved it!
I do miss getting books from the Library. I just take the kids because I just love the smell and people there :)
Milena, I have had that Juliet book on my TBR list forever, can't wait to read your review.
Jessica wrote: "I'm now about halfway through 'Roses', a book Toni recommended, and I'm really enjoying it!! It is so heartbreaking though.. Toni, does it get better (as in, happier)? I've read Mary's story which ..."Jessica- I am sooooooooooo glad you are liking Roses. It is really good!! I enjoyed it a lot so I am so glad that someone picked it up. It's a great love story..all the elements. You know I read it a long time ago so I don't actually recall the exact ending. I know the general way it ended but even if I did remeber it exactly I wouldn't tell you Jessica!!! LOL. And you wouldn't want me too...keep reading you will NOT be disappointed. The whole book from beginning to end is good. I had my favorite characters for sure, but it is a really good read. Again, so glad you are enjoying it and if you want to discuss it a little when you are done I will peruse the book. I just need to skim it for 15 minutes and I will remember it all. That is how much I loved it BUT I read sooo many books a month even the best need a good skim if I read it that long ago (perhaps TBH won't). Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Leea wrote: "Toni, I don't know who the Mod's are for this group but you can always ask them to set up a Group Read or Buddy Read. That way someone can pick a book and we can read it together and talk about it..."Leea I super appreciate you letting me know this. Ironically I just asked a goodreads friend (from this site---you know who you are LOL) to do a read together, but it is great to know this can be done as you pointed out. I'm going to get on it. Maybe I can find something a group can read. Thanks again!!!!!
Actually Leea, you are good at this stuff and you may know the answer to this. I think you were the one that turned a lot of us onto the netgalley.com thing with The Wild Rose. I went there and got a few books okayed but now I cannot read them. It says download adobe netedition (my husband bought a kindle to read annual reports for his hedgefun but it away to a friend when I said I'd NEVER EVER read off a computer screen and protested that to enjoy a book you have to read it old-style in paper form. What a DUMB thing to do. Now I've got no kindle!!! Unless I buy a new one-and let my husand say I told you so LOL-I can't figure out how to read these netgalley books. Do you have any idea?? Thanks!!
Kelly I sent you a note too. I finally figured it out. It's a red letter day---I'm such a computer flunkey!! Thanks for the fun note :) :) :)
Toni, Yeah NetGalley uses ebooks mostly. Netgalley used Adobe Digital editions (ADE)or they have a special form for Kindle. I have a Nook so i'm not sure how to download a Kindle Arch but i'm sure it's easy. As for not having a ereader and trying to get a paper copy of the book - you would have to ask the publisher. Honestly, i'd be surprised if they would send you one because they mostly do ebooks now, for netgalley that is. I say get yourself a Kindle but i'm a trouble maker :) Also, feel free to ask me more questions as they come up.
Glad you are going a buddy read, those are a lot of fun. You can always start a thread and others might want to join you. What are you going to read?
I finished the Tea Rose this morning and am very happy that I continued reading the book even though it did take me awhile to get into. The book was definitely well written and am looking forward to reading The Winter Rose.
Before I start on a new journey with The Outlander, I thought I should give fey another go with Lust (Sins and Virtues, #1) by Charlotte Featherstone, which I hope is as good as the two other reads I have of hers ;)
Mod
Chrissy12 wrote: "I finished the Tea Rose this morning and am very happy that I continued reading the book even though it did take me awhile to get into. The book was definitely well written and am looking forward ..."
Same here with Tea Rose!! The Winter Rose is even better, can't wait for the Wild Rose! Outlander is WONDERFUL, so worth the journey. In my opinion, Lust was ok, but not as good as Addicted or Sinful. Love those two!!
The Bronze Horseman
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Megan I've literally only just started Oranges and Sunshine, I'm only a few pages in! I'll let you know once I've gotten further through it. It looks like it will be great, though very sad! I haven't seen the movie, have you? I always try and read the book first (as they're usually better!)